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Hopefully it can reflect the purpose of books: words with meaning and a message.

Monday, October 10, 2011

PART C of Portfolio (AKA the final word)

Man's
mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original
dimensions. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes

Oliver
Wendell Holmes is a wise person.This saying reflects where I have finished the journey of ETL401 Teacher
Librarianship.The subject has
provided vision of new directions in education.In past blogs, I have referred to the position of the
twentieth century librarian and the introduction of new technologies into the
library and the change to the librarian’s role.ETL401 has expanded the role and possibilities of a Teacher
Librarian.I am enthused,
vitalised and excited about the prospects of working in a school library setting.I believe the library extends beyond
four walls. A library has no boundaries.To be honest, I was naive in my view of the role of a teacher librarian
and should have, in hindsight, researched the role a TL is expected to play in
a forward thinking environment.Wong (2010) makes an excellent point regarding TL’s stating they “are skilled in accessing and evaluating information
regardless of delivery system, book or computer, and providing leadership in
the appropriate use of newer information technologies.”Herring (2007) also made a very
valuable point about the role of the library in that it should be seen as a
centre of learning first and a centre of resources second.

From that,
the TL is then well placed to educate the twenty-first century student in
providing lifelong learning skills towards information literacy through a
guided inquiry process.

To the uninitiated,
this may seem puzzling statement.Lifelong learning is a positive concept which all educators should be
aiming for in their students. Information literacy is the ability to access,
evaluate and use information from a variety of resources, to recognise when
information is needed and to know how to learn (Doyle, 1996 in Langford,
1998).The information literate
student can access, use and transfer information in their pursuit of lifelong
learning.With access to many
forms of information available, lifelong learning is possible.Learning need not end once a person has
completed their formal education.

Underlying
the concept of information literacy is a belief that made an incredible impact
on me and about which I have written previously on this blog – the idea of the
ethical use of information.Purcell (2010) made note of it in her article.Not only do we want students to use the information in the
transfer of knowledge, we want them to use it wisely, with consideration and
with the use it was intended.Herring and Tarter (2007) believe that students need to also understand
that print does not always equate to truth.

There have
been many light-bulb moments during ETL401.I have read on forums about the use of inquiry models within
schools and some experiences.There have been mentions at different times of Web 2.0, the Cloud,
Wikis, Blogs and on my own blog, an introduction by a reader of accessing
Shelfari (a way of keeping track of books you have read).For each of these I have thought of a
multitude of ways they could be introduced to students.The use of guided inquiry and the
positive learning that come from these provides yet another reason to work in a
library.Other minor findings
include the discovery of the amount of reading material available relating to
the role of the Teacher Librarian.There is endless information out there.What I have read and discovered is really the tip of the
iceberg.If your interest is
sparked, google the topic on Google Scholar (yet another finding from this
course – I did not even know it existed!).

In
topic 3 of ETL401, we were asked to watch a webinar on the teacher librarian
and the curriculum by Judy O’Connell.The title has stayed with me – Lifesavers
of Learning.What a wonderful
way to describe the role of a TL.They can provide the information, resources and support for the school
curriculum.They could provide all
of that if they are supported by the school administrators, particularly the
Principal.In looking at the
obstacle a Principal may be in a TL reaching their potential, I came across
some very good advice in research by Gustafson (2011) and Kaldenberg (2011):
the TL needs to be proactive.Show
the Principal and school what the TL can offer, share ideas, initiate
collaboration, assist the Principal in using new technologies, introduce a
workable, relevant guided inquiry model and educate the staff.Also, most importantly, be proud of all
achievements and share them with whoever will listen.

In
conclusion, my mind has been stretched in regard to the role of the teacher
librarian and it will never, ever regain its original dimension.What a wonderful learning journey
ETL401 has been.

REFERENCES

Gustafson, K. (2011). A Dozen Ways the School Librarian
Can Help Administrators Find Time. School Library Monthly, 27(5), 36-38.
Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Herring, J. (2007).Teacher Librarians and the school library.In S. Ferguson (Ed.) Libraries in the
twenty-first century: charting new directions in information (pp.27-42).Wagga Wagga, NSW:Centre for Information
Studies, Charles Sturt University

Herring J. & Tarter, A. (2007).Progress in developing information
literacy in a secondary school using the PLUS model.School
Libraries in View, 23, 23-27.

On
a lighter note and for those who read this blog to follow what I’m reading, I
have had on my bedside for a week The Red Queen by Phillipa Gregory.I can now pick this up and enjoy it
without the study pressures that having been invading my every moment and
thought.I’m looking forward to
starting the book once I have pressed “Post” on this blog.The Harlequin by Bernard Cornwell which
I mentioned last time was incredibly graphic in its depictions of war in the 18th
Century. I am now on the lookout
for the second book in this series and hope there was some peace in the land
(as if).Finally, a special note
of thanks to Joan Amiet, a wonderful teacher librarian who cares greatly about
books and introducing children to the joys of literature.She has supplied a long list of cat
books.I will be posting their
titles in my next blog.

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About Me

I love books with a passion. Teaching is a calling. Combined where better to be than a school library! This is my goal after many years teaching music, health, primary classroom and in leadership positions as well as staying home looking after my 3 cherubs who share my love of books and reading.

Blog Archive

Favourite Books!

They're a Wierd Mob - Nina Culotta (an oldie but a goodie - I still laugh everytime I read it!)

Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles - Margaret George

Lucky Man (autobiography) - Michael J. Fox

London - Edward Rutherford

Here be Dragons - Sharon Penman

Four Fires - Bryce Courtnay

Carolan's Concerto - Caiseal Mor

Boudicia: Dreaming the Eagle - Manda Scott

A Man Needs a Hobby - William McInnis

Christmas Pudding with Stout

250g dates

250g raisins

250g sultanas

250g currants

185g mixed peel

250g butter

1 cup brown sugar firmly packed

4 eggs

375ml can or bottle stout

2 cups day old white bread crumbs (about 1/2 a loaf)

2 cups plain flour

Have butter and eggs at room temperature. Chop dates and raisins the same size as a sultana. Combinewith remaining fruit in a large bowl. Cream butter an sugar until just combined, add eggs 1 at a time. Add to fruit mixture, mix well by hand, add stout, breadcrumbs and sifted flour. Put in buttered basin and cover well (I use glad wrap held down with rubber bands and masking tape). Boil for 6 hours adding more water periodically. Boil again for 2 hours on Xmas day or just reheat in microwave in slices. Make 4-5 weeks before serving to allow flavour to develop. I often make a selection of different sizes and boil them an approx. proportionate time.